In California, varroa mites decimated the domestic honey-bee population in 2004, which caused a notable decrease in honey production during this year. When a pesticide that is not harmful to honey-bees was introduced in 2005 to exterminate varroa mites, honey production increased – by up to 10 percent in some areas – but then decreased sharply in 2006.
Which of the following statements, if true, would best explain the 2006 decrease in honey production?
(A)In 2006, bee-keepers were more likely to use the pesticide than any other form of mite population control.
(B) Varroa mites do not harm bees directly, but rather spread diseases and viruses that are particularly harmful to honey-bees.
(C)The same amount of the pesticide was applied to the areas infested by mites in 2005 and in 2006.
(D) Rapid growth in a bee population tends to deplete resources that bees need to produce honey.
(E) The demand for honey fell between 2004 and 2006, and this caused the price of honey to fall significantly.
Which of the following statements, if true, would best explain the 2006 decrease in honey production?
(A)In 2006, bee-keepers were more likely to use the pesticide than any other form of mite population control.
(B) Varroa mites do not harm bees directly, but rather spread diseases and viruses that are particularly harmful to honey-bees.
(C)The same amount of the pesticide was applied to the areas infested by mites in 2005 and in 2006.
(D) Rapid growth in a bee population tends to deplete resources that bees need to produce honey.
(E) The demand for honey fell between 2004 and 2006, and this caused the price of honey to fall significantly.
